As he steps inside, a vibrant grin spreads across his face. He doesn’t move farther. His chest rises and falls as he stares at me.
I have the giant bath towel wrapped around my body, so all he can see is my shoulders and my ankles. It practically reaches the floor. The silence is unnerving, so I clear my throat. “Thank you… For the toiletries and for letting me use the tub. It was as luxurious as you said it would be.”
“You may soak in there as often as you want, sweetheart. It’s yours now.”
Right. I can’t grasp that.
“You’re so gorgeous,” he whispers. It’s ironic that I was just wondering if that were true. “I’m a very lucky man.”
“I think I’m the lucky one,” I tell him. “This is like a dream come true.”
“I’m glad you feel that way.” He nods over his shoulder. “I thought you might like to trade places with me. I’ll take a shower. You can get dressed in the bedroom.”
“Oh, right. Good idea.” I glance at the glass enclosure. This cabin is so luxurious that the shower isn’t even part of the tub.
“Aaric bought you all kinds of things. I emptied the bags onto the bed. If there’s anything you don’t like, it’s no big deal. We can go to the city again in a few days and get you more clothes. We’ll return whatever doesn’t fit and replace them with items of your choosing.”
“I’m sure it’s fine, Adam.”
He shakes his head. “Fine isn’t what I was going for, sweetheart. I want you to be happy. I will make you happy. I promise.”
All I can do is swallow back the emotion bubbling up inside me. Finally, I manage to send a message to my legs and move toward the door. When I reach him, he lifts a hand and fingers a lock of my hair. “Stunning.”
“It’s usually a disaster, but you know that. Sometimes, I braid it to keep it from flying all over the place. Maybe you could tell me how you like it, and I’ll fix it that way.”
He shakes his head. “I’ll like it however you want to wear it, Rebekah. It’s beautiful. Down or braided or whatever other style makes you comfortable.”
“I’ve never even cut it,” I say for no particular reason. “My father said only slutty girls cut their hair.”
Adam winces. “Your father used horribly foul language in front of you. It was inappropriate. I can’t promise I won’t say words that shouldn’t be used in front of a lady because I’ve been living with my brothers, so my mouth can be filthy, but I would never direct that sort of language at you. I don’t want you to use that word, Rebekah. It’s ugly, and it’s totally untrue. Pardon me, but your father is an asshole for ever suggesting such a thing.”
“Okay.”
He lifts another lock of my hair. “I will never tell you what to do with your hair. If you want to cut it, I’ll love you just the same.” He bends forward and kisses the top of my head before turning me toward the bedroom and patting my butt. “I will tell you that we need to get a move on because I told Judge Henderson we would be there soon.”
“Okay.” I scurry out of the bathroom.
For several minutes after he shuts the door, I simply stare at it. The shower is turned on, and I picture him getting in it naked. I’ve never seen a naked man. The idea scares me. I know what’s expected of me, and I wouldn’t want any other man on Earth to get between my legs, but I’m still nervous.
Snapping out of my trance, I spin to face the bed and gasp. There’s a mountain of clothes piled on the mattress. I rush forward, stunned. So many things. Piles of pants and shirts and dresses. Underwear and…oh god, bras. I would be mortified if Adam bought me bras and panties, but his twin brother did it. That’s even worse.
My face heats. I’m so embarrassed. I can’t catch my breath as I touch several items. He didn’t buy me ordinary cotton panties. He bought me lace and silk items. Matching sets. White and black and nude. Several different sizes, because how could he know what I would need?
Next to the clothes are several sizes of shoes. My fingers tremble as I move farther down the bed to explore what I realize is hair accessories. Clips, bows, bands, ribbons. Tears well in my eyes. Adam made this list.
I stop breathing when I see feminine products, pads, and a smaller box of tampons. I’ve never used tampons before. I haven’t had pads for years either. My father never thought to buy them for me, and I was too embarrassed to ask. I used cloth rags and washed them in the sink.
Ignoring everything else, I pick up one of the bottles of lotion and open it. It smells like a field of flowers. I need to hurry so I’ll be dressed when Adam comes out of the bathroom. Quickly setting the towel aside, I then squeeze the lotion onto my palm and rub it into my arms and legs. Talk about a luxury.
When I’m done, I look through the bras and panties and pick out a set I think will work. The panties fit perfectly. At least, I think so. I’ve never had underwear this skimpy. The matching bra also fits. It’s small. I don’t have much in the boob department. My face heats all over again when it occurs to me that Adam would have told his brother exactly that. Otherwise, how would Aaric know to buy me these small sizes?
My mother’s wedding dress is hanging on a hook on the back of the bedroom door, and I quickly remove it from the hanger and examine it. There are tiny buttons all up the back, but the dress looks a bit large for me. My mother was never as small as I am. For one thing, she was taller, but she also had full breasts and hips. Ignoring the buttons, I pull it over my head. It slides right into place. It’s too big, but it will work.
I look down at myself. It’s so pretty. White with lace around the collar and down the arms. Delicate and intricate. I wonder where she got it from and how she could afford it. I suppose in the early days of her marriage, they must have had the money for nicer things.
The shower turns off, and I hurry to look through the hair things, choosing a barrette that has a white bow attached to it and long ribbons hanging down. I gather up the front of my hair and clip it at the back of my head.
I’m smiling as I look at myself in the mirror above the dresser. I feel prettier than ever.
